Queensland state political reporter

Police officers and other public servants can no longer be individually sued while on the job.

Parliament passed the legislation, which was introduced by Premier Campbell Newman in November last year as the fulfilment of an election promise, granting protection to public officers from civil action.

Any action against "public service employees, police and other persons in particular circumstances relating to engaging in conduct in an official capacity" will be transferred to the state

But it also includes a clause which would allow the government to recoup any costs from a successful action, if the state employee was found to "have engaged in conduct other than good faith, and with gross negligence".

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It follows the case of Brisbane Constable Benjamin Arndt, who was found guilty of the assault of a homeless man, Bruce Rowe, in 2006.

Mr Rowe brought a private prosecution against Mr Arndt following his own arrest.

Mr Arndt was eventually found guilty in 2011, fined $1000 and ordered to pay the court costs.

The Police Union has campaigned ever since for a change to the laws and Mr Newman said he had been listening.

"As I noted when I introduced this bill, it is about letting Queensland's public servants know — letting our police, our teachers, our doctors and nurses, our staff on the front desk of client service centres — that they will be supported in performing their roles," he said in parliament.

"It does not take away the responsibility or accountability.

"...The bill does provide a level of certainty for our employees that does not currently exist, and this certainty will ultimately contribute to better service outcomes for the Queensland community."

25 comments so far

If they abused their powers imagine now!!!

Commenter

Aussie by choice

Location

Brisbane South

Date and time

February 14, 2014, 6:11AM

The baby face AG and General Newman will pay the ultimate penalty next time around when the Voters of Queensland show the LNP the exit door. Every piece of legislation introduced recently smacks of Dictatorship. Do as I say or Else. It's time to annihilate the LNP at the next election and send them over to sit the Opposition benches for a Decade.

Commenter

TimeWillTell

Date and time

February 14, 2014, 11:14AM

You think the AG is a baby face? I reckon it is more like former Panamanian dictator Noriega "el Pineapple".

Commenter

cycloniq

Date and time

February 14, 2014, 1:55PM

In other words, we have no redress.The councils can ride roughshod over us.

Commenter

Dieter

Location

Varsity Lakes

Date and time

February 14, 2014, 7:12AM

So Liberals, tell us again how your Party is all about personal responsibility?

Very dangerous legislation, particularly for police to not be accountable. If the Newman Government was concerned about civil liberties the police would have to wear cameras and microphones when engaging with the public.

Commenter

Dave

Date and time

February 14, 2014, 7:27AM

if they are doing there job right why do they need this support there are guidelines in place on how to do there job if they don't follow these guidelines then they deserve to be suedif we the general public step out of line we will get into trouble or sued so what is different maybe now they can verbal or bash someone and not have to worry about the consequences

Commenter

max

Location

Qld

Date and time

February 14, 2014, 7:38AM

A quick way to may law suits go away when you come up against the power of Queensland government lawyers. Elephant vs the Mouse.But also there's the change that public servants will be sacked before any law suit is brought, leaving them unprotected.

Commenter

Tim

Location

InnerCity

Date and time

February 14, 2014, 8:19AM

So someone can totally destroy a persons life and not be held responsible

Commenter

Brian of Narangba

Location

Qld

Date and time

February 14, 2014, 8:28AM

Public servants who abuse members of the public can do so because there are no personal consequences. Their departments protect them, and now citizens can no longer use the courts. Absolute power inevitably leads to abuse. Giving them immunity is begging for trouble.

Commenter

Epic Fail

Date and time

February 14, 2014, 8:29AM

D'ya hear that constables, when the Bleijie and Newman give the order to baton charge the dissidents, you'll be immune from prosecution. A sure path for fast tracking career promotions as well, going by the last time they were in. LNP appointed staffers will similarly be able to take the rap for the politicians, yet still be immune from prosecution.